RUMOURS about a prostitution and extortion ring have sparked a police investigation.

Although no complaints have been made to the police, rumours have been spreading about a prostitution ring involving women from eastern Europe backed up by men who threaten ‘clients’ with violence if they fail to pay up.

The police have started looking into the claims and have spoken to several people to try and find out whether any offences are being committed.

But they stress that despite the rumours, they have yet to receive a formal complaint.

Supt John Pearson said: ‘Preliminary investigations have not led to any complaints being received or corroboration of the rumours, but should anyone report any incidents to the police they will be fully investigated and treated sensitively.

‘We are making inquiries to discover if there is any truth in the rumours that are circulating.

We are visiting individuals, who I can give no further details of, to ascertain if they are able to provide us with any evidence that there are any offences being committed.’